In a recent development, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has declared the session court’s order on the Toshakhana case as “illegal.” The IHC Chief Justice, Amir Farooq, gave this ruling after hearing eight petitions from the PTI chairman. Both parties presented their arguments, and after careful consideration, the IHC concluded that the session court’s decision to deem the Toshakhana case admissible was not lawful. Consequently, the lower court has been instructed to rehear the case and arrive at a new verdict.
Despite the PTI chairman’s request to transfer the case to another court, the IHC rejected it and assigned Additional Sessions Judge Humayun Dilawar to preside over the case. This decision aims to ensure a fair and unbiased hearing in the matter.
Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court had dismissed an ex-prime minister’s petition against the trial proceedings related to the Toshakhana case. The ex-prime minister withdrew the plea, leading to the dismissal by the three-member bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justice Yahya Afridi, Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi, and Justice Musarat Hilali. The bench ruled that the trial court could not make any decisions regarding the Toshakhana case until the High Court’s final decision is made.
What exactly is the Toshakhana case?
The term “Toshakhana” originates from the Persian language, and it means “treasure house.” According to the rules governing Toshakhana, government officials are allowed to retain gifts of low value, while extravagant items require them to pay a considerably reduced fee to the government.
However, the Toshakhana came under scrutiny when allegations surfaced suggesting that the PTI chairman had acquired gifts received during his tenure as prime minister at incredibly low rates and subsequently sold them in the market at exorbitant profits. It was claimed that these gifts were received during official visits abroad and amounted to more than Rs140 million ($635,000).
The gifts included luxury watches from a royal family, some of which were reportedly sold by the PTI chairman’s aides in Dubai. The list of gifts featured seven wristwatches, including six Rolex watches, with the most expensive being a “Master Graff limited edition” worth 85 million Pakistani rupees ($385,000).
Read more: Imran Khan’s Bail extended by LHC in Toshakhana Gifts Sale Case
The Election Commission had previously ordered the disqualification of the PTI chairman under Article 63(1)(p) of the Constitution, based on these allegations.
With the IHC’s recent ruling, the case will be reheard, and a new verdict will be reached. The nation will be keenly watching as the judicial process unfolds, hoping for a just and transparent resolution to the Toshakhana case.
